LeBron James believes he can help make Philadelphia a championship team. He can. But adding him makes the 76ers contenders, not favorites.

DraftKings priced that distinction immediately. Philadelphia shortened from 20-1 to +900, its Eastern Conference odds moved from +750 to +370, and its win total rose from 48.5 to 50.5. Oklahoma City and San Antonio still sat far ahead as +270 co-favorites. The Sixers received a serious upgrade, not the league’s safest projection.

Their last established level was 45-37 and a second-round sweep by eventual champion New York. James raises that ceiling after averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists, but he is 41. His production matters; so does the age attached to it.

The projected starting group of James, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe has enough talent to beat anyone. It has not played together, and its promise does not erase Philadelphia’s Embiid-centered availability concern. A formidable lineup on paper is not yet the most bankable championship case.

That verdict can change if the starters establish a stronger regular-season level, the roster answers its availability questions or Philadelphia passes Oklahoma City and San Antonio in the futures market. For now, James has put the Sixers in the title tier, not at the head of it.